Phoenix Park

Detached octagonal-plan single-storey gate lodge, built 1838, extended to rear c.1865 with connecting entrance bay. Now in use as house. Roof hidden behind parapet wall with central octagonal-profiled rendered chimneystack with lipped clay pots. Hipped natural slate roof to rear block with roll-moulded lead ridges, rendered chimneystack with octagonal clay pots rising from rear elevation and cast-iron profiled guttering supported on decorative timber eaves brackets and cast-iron downpipes. Channel-rusticated rendered walls with continuous impost moulding. Round-headed window openings to octagonal part and segmental-headed window openings to rear block, set within recesses and having timber sliding sash windows with convex horns, two-over-two pane to rear block, and all having granite ashlar sills, apron panels incorporated fanlights and convex horns. Connecting entrance bay has pitched natural slate roof with segmental-headed door opening and flat-panelled timber door with glazed upper panel. Concrete path encircles building with gravel area enclosed by wrought-iron railings set in granite plinth. Large rear lawn enclosed by plainer iron railings and matching iron gates opening into tarmac driveway. Flanked on each side by associated cast-iron gateway abutting rubble stone boundary wall of Phoenix Park.

Designed by Decimus Burton, this gate lodge is one of the more interesting designs of a wider collection of lodges designed by the same architect. Designed as a symmetrical composition with two flanking gateways, the lodge and gateways remain in good condition and retain much historic fabric. The lodge is set in a mature setting at the southwest side of Phoenix Park and adds to the variety and interest of a good collection of parkland features spread across the park.